Chapter 53: Immense Favor
Chapter 53: Immense Favor
Nephew…
Empress Zhang was the mother of the nation. Even when she showed affection for someone, she was careful with her words. After all, her status was too noble. Every word, every action, even a slight gesture, was enough to make people come up with all kinds of guesses.
When those two words—”nephew”—came out, it was a big deal. She wasn’t some country woman who could spout nonsense and forget about it. The words “nephew” from Empress Zhang’s mouth carried an entirely different meaning.
Of course, Empress Zhang acted so affectionately to express gratitude for this life-saving favor.
Emperor Hongzhi’s face twitched. He hadn’t wanted Empress Zhang to come to the Fang Family in person. He was afraid it would make it seem that the imperial family was excessively favoring the Fang Family and Fang Jifan. Every word and action of the royal family must never be excessive. Impartiality, neither too much nor too little, was the principle for ruling the world.
Fang Jinglong suddenly burst into tears. He was so emotional.
What virtue or ability did his son have to deserve such deep affection from Empress Zhang? His lips trembled, and for a moment, he couldn’t speak.
Zhang Mao was dumbfounded. What was going on? Was this too much? And Fang Jifan, you brat, Empress Zhang just said such words of immense favor, yet you still haven’t shown your modesty. You should say something like “I don’t deserve this.”
So, Zhang Mao desperately winked at Fang Jifan. Such great favor was bestowed upon you, don’t be stupid. If you cause displeasure in the Imperial Palace, you won’t even know how you died.
Fang Jifan saw Zhang Mao frantically winking at him. Having lived two lives, he was quite sharp-witted. He knew he should say something like “Your subject is ashamed and dares not accept this” or “Your Highness’s great kindness.” Should he even shed a few tears? Would his expression be too exaggerated and seem fake?
But just as he was about to start a passionate crying session and wail a few times, his heart trembled. No, I am Fang Jifan. I am that simple, honest, and guileless Fang Jifan. To put it bluntly, I am a bit foolish. I am a straightforward person and an incurable idiot.
After a brief moment of silence, Fang Jifan said nothing more and plopped down, solemnly kowtowing.
Seeing his son kneel, the nervous Fang Jinglong finally breathed a sigh of relief. Jifan, it’s time to say some sensible words. In reality, he was very nervous, afraid that Fang Jifan would act foolishly.
Even Zhang Mao seemed to let out a sigh of relief. Finally, this kid knows his place!
At that moment, Fang Jifan spoke solemnly: “Your nephew, Fang Jifan, pays respects to Aunt!”
Unsurprisingly, as soon as Fang Jifan said these words, they shocked everyone present, sweeping through the entire group.
Even Empress Zhang was somewhat surprised. After all, she had said she regarded him as a nephew. Wasn’t “nephew” supposed to mean a junior?
But… Fang Jifan was very literal. Without another word, he came to acknowledge their relation.
Fang Jinglong, who had just relaxed, felt his heart jump to his throat again…
Even Emperor Hongzhi, who had been standing there with his hands behind his back, feeling that he shouldn’t say too much, twitched his old face slightly.
Shameless!
He glanced sideways at Fang Jifan, feeling a bit confused. Was he truly foolish, or was he seizing the opportunity to climb higher?
Zhang Mao was impatient. He knew Fang Jifan’s behavior was suicidal. He said sharply, “Fang Jifan, how dare you! Don’t talk nonsense.”
Fang Jifan spoke righteously: “What nonsense? Her Highness said I am her nephew. Doesn’t that make Empress Zhang my aunt? Shouldn’t I greet my aunt and perform the rites of a nephew?”
Damn…
His face must be as thick as the walls of the Forbidden City.
Zhang Mao couldn’t help but want to take out his family’s treasured sword and chop this guy into mincemeat, thus eliminating a scourge for the Fang Family.
“…” Emperor Hongzhi already regretted his decision but still had to pretend to be calm and composed. Perhaps afraid others would notice his discomfort, he quickly turned his face slightly away.
Empress Zhang’s misty eyes still sparkled. She liked young men, especially since this young man had just saved her daughter’s life. Right now, she found everything about Fang Jifan pleasing to the eye. Even such a “crude and foolish” acknowledgment of relation only made her think Fang Jifan was excessively “simple and honest.” Her heart was sharp, so she immediately smiled and helped Fang Jifan up, saying, “That’s right. How can one not pay respects upon meeting one’s aunt? The Duke of Yingguo knows nothing and only knows how to frighten children. Jifan, I, your aunt, hereby acknowledge you. From now on, if anyone bullies you, tell your aunt.”
Emperor Hongzhi felt as if the heavens and earth were collapsing. Empress Zhang’s action was too reckless. The mother of the nation, if she spoke such golden words, would find it difficult to take them back. He coughed desperately, trying to remind Empress Zhang.
Fang Jifan blinked his eyes, looking very concerned: “Your Majesty is always coughing. Could it be that you’ve caught a Wind-Cold Disorder? Your nephew has also been studied for this and has some insights from being researched. Would you like me to take a look?” When he called himself “your nephew,” he had no psychological barrier at all. At this moment, Fang Jifan was like a sticky plaster, determined to make the cooked rice irrevocable.
After all, he was young, and he had a history of Brain Illness. Even if they wanted to punish him, so be it. Fang Jifan didn’t believe at all that the Emperor would bother with a young man who had Brain Illness. Having Brain Illness was good; the treatment was almost comparable to that of a giant panda.
“I… am fine…” Emperor Hongzhi’s heart was filled with mixed emotions. He sighed inwardly. In the end, he was a tolerant person and could only sigh with regret.
Emperor Hongzhi said, “Come to the study. I have something to ask you.”
Fang Jifan replied obediently: “Your nephew obeys the decree.” He then glanced at Empress Zhang, meaning: Your nephew is leaving now. Will His Majesty beat your nephew? Aunt, you must stand up for your nephew then.
Empress Zhang kindly nodded to him.
Fang Jifan then relaxed and set his heart at ease.
One after the other, he led Emperor Hongzhi to the study. Emperor Hongzhi sat down and said, “Fang Jifan, has the Princess’s illness been completely cured?”
Fang Jifan thought to himself, it was just an uncommon viral cold. The right medicine would cure it. As long as the fever subsided, she just needed to recuperate slowly: “Your Majesty, your nep—”
Emperor Hongzhi glared at Fang Jifan: “Don’t keep calling yourself ‘your nephew.’ I know you’ve acknowledged the relation, but even as an Imperial Relative, you should refer to yourself as ‘your subject.’ What kind of behavior is this? This is etiquette!”
Fang Jifan stuck out his tongue and said again: “Your subject believes the Princess’s illness has been cured. Your Majesty need not worry.”
Emperor Hongzhi was puzzled: “The Princess suffered from Brain Illness?”
Fang Jifan nodded: “Yes, Brain Illness.”
Emperor Hongzhi asked again: “The prescription you wrote truly cured her illness as soon as she took the medicine?”
Fang Jifan vowed confidently: “Your Majesty can rest assured.”
Emperor Hongzhi’s expression grew even stranger: “Since her Brain Illness can be cured with medicine, why have I heard that you are still treating her?”
“…” Fang Jifan was a bit confused. Right, why hadn’t he given up on treatment yet?
Seeing Fang Jifan hesitate, Emperor Hongzhi said seriously: “I suppose it’s not so easy to remove the root of the illness. You don’t need to comfort me. Speak the truth!”
“…” Fang Jifan was dumbfounded. The reason he called it Brain Illness was just an excuse. But now, having been long ill, he became a doctor and saved the Princess. This meant the Princess and he suffered from the same illness. In that case, since his illness could relapse, then…
He was being forced to talk nonsense!
“Your Majesty is truly wise! You indeed see everything clearly!” Fang Jifan spoke eloquently, paused, and continued: “Your subject was indeed comforting Your Majesty just now. Although the Princess is mostly cured… there is still a possibility of relapse.”
“So, she needs follow-up visits from time to time?” Emperor Hongzhi pondered thoughtfully.
Fang Jifan promptly nodded: “Naturally, we must prevent problems before they arise.”
Emperor Hongzhi nodded: “Then, every ten days or half a month, you should enter the palace… You are a man, and it’s inappropriate for you to frequently enter the Inner Palace. You are in the House of the Crown Prince, so I will order the Princess to go to the House of the Crown Prince for your follow-up visits.”
“Curing my cousin is your subject’s honor!”
“…” Emperor Hongzhi’s face fell again: “Pay attention to your demeanor as a subject.”
“Oh.” Fang Jifan then said solemnly: “Curing Her Highness the Princess is your subject’s duty.”
Emperor Hongzhi’s face reluctantly regained some color. Take a deep breath. After all, he couldn’t bother with a young man whose illness hadn’t fully recovered. I am the Son of Heaven, the August Supreme. I must not get angry: “Then, if she has a relapse, what symptoms would there be?”
Fang Jifan replied without much thought: “Just like me. Look at me now, always foolish and easily deceived. This shows I haven’t had a relapse. But if one day I suddenly become shrewd, that would mean I’ve had a relapse.”
Emperor Hongzhi was speechless upon hearing this.
Fang Jifan patiently added: “Therefore, if Her Highness’s behavior differs from usual… that is a sign of the old illness relapsing.”
“So that’s how it is.” Emperor Hongzhi nodded: “I will have people observe her behavior at all times. If there is anything unusual, I will summon you immediately.”
Fang Jifan silently mourned for his cousin. This feeling of being watched all the time, and being pulled away for injections and medicine at the slightest abnormality—he knew it all too well.
But… Wahaha, does that mean I am now her fellow patient?